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The Orioles should look to the guy with the best chance of being a lead-off hitter for next year. He has improved enough in his 2nd season at AAA that he warrants a longer look than September call-ups allow. There is an opportunity here the Orioles are going to miss and be forced to go into free agency with big questions about the top of the order again. Why do that when a cheap solution might be given the experience he needs to thrive in that roll?

I compare our situation with the Yankees and Gardner. They went with him out of necessity and found a capable player. We should be doing the same. Nolan is not good enough to be a starting outfielder with DH should be his primary roll (and he should be taking ABs away from Vlad). This goes for using PIe too except in rare circumstances. Go with the guys with a future in 2012.

We're going to lose 90+ anyway so we should be using this time to wisely evaluate what we do have.

Rising O's wrote:The Orioles should look to the guy with the best chance of being a lead-off hitter for next year. He has improved enough in his 2nd season at AAA that he warrants a longer look than September call-ups allow. There is an opportunity here the Orioles are going to miss and be forced to go into free agency with big questions about the top of the order again. Why do that when a cheap solution might be given the experience he needs to thrive in that roll?

I compare our situation with the Yankees and Gardner. They went with him out of necessity and found a capable player. We should be doing the same. Nolan is not good enough to be a starting outfielder with DH should be his primary roll (and he should be taking ABs away from Vlad). This goes for using PIe too except in rare circumstances. Go with the guys with a future in 2012.

100% agree. I don't think people realize that with Angle's defense, along with a solid .330-.340 OBP and 30+ SBs he is a very valuable player.

I would also give Kyle Hudson a look with his recent hot streak in mind.

Jordan wrote:100% agree. I don't think people realize that with Angle's defense, along with a solid .330-.340 OBP and 30+ SBs he is a very valuable player.

I would also give Kyle Hudson a look with his recent hot streak in mind.

I'm also strongly in favor of this. Although I'd actually prefer to see the O's move Adam Jones to LF and put Angle in CF. Jones defense has taken anotherr step back this season (unless you are Baseball America). It is obvious that Pie is not the answer, and although Reimold has had his moments, I didn't understand hitting him in the leadoff sppot tonight. It would appeear that Roberts is done, and hopefully no one would argue that his best days are certainly well behind him. Unless the O's want to make Hardy the leadoff hitter, there simply is no other option to hit in that spot.

If Angle could bat .285 he would be all we need at the top of the order. He would have a OBA of approx. 350 and steal 30plus...I would eventually like to see him in CF and move AJ to left where I think he would flourish offensively and on D with fresher legs. That would give us one of the better OF defenses in baseball. Now go get a defensive first 3b and 2b to bat 8th and 9th and we would have one of the better defensive teams in baseball. Then we just let our pitchers grow. I really bothers me we dont seem to be going in that direction.

I couldn't agree more that Angle should be getting an extended look. With his defense, patient approach, sound hitting fundamentals, and playable speed that would conceivably allow him to bunt for hits and steal bases at the ML level would make him a massive upgrade over Pie/Reimold. It's the little things that make this team as bad as it is and starting Angle would be a step in the right direction.

OriolesRedskins28 wrote:I couldn't agree more that Angle should be getting an extended look. With his defense, patient approach, sound hitting fundamentals, and playable speed that would conceivably allow him to bunt for hits and steal bases at the ML level would make him a massive upgrade over Pie/Reimold. It's the little things that make this team as bad as it is and starting Angle would be a step in the right direction.

Great point. After watching the Pie and Jones miscues over the past few days, fans would love having a guy like Angle who just does everything right.

Jordan wrote:Great point. After watching the Pie and Jones miscues over the past few days, fans would love having a guy like Angle who just does everything right

in your opinion, how much does angle's absolute lack of power negate his ability to get on base at the major league level?

The problem with guys like Angle is that MLB pitchers can pound the zone and force them to hit strikes instead of taking walks. It's just very hard for guys with such little power to maintain high walk rates.

Even so, I still think Angle is good enough to adjust to this once he gets an extended look.

So still no Angle even after that disastrous finale vs the Angels. Are they afraid someone is going to claim Pie if he's DFA'd? Is Reimold going to learn how to field? We've had looks over the past 3 years, he is no better now than he was then. The topper will be bringing back Luke Scott in 2012.